The Gathering Storm

Storm Katie hit our shores at the weekend with gusts of wind in excess of 100 mph . It was, apparently, the 11th named storm of the season, causing disruption across much of England in the Easter holiday.

This poor French girl hurrying barefoot along the coastal path, trying to escape the impending squall , is a very moody and powerful picture.

Auguste Piron 1816-1895

The Gathering Storm

Oil on panel

Signed and dated 1857

Beautiful heavy gilt frame

47cm x 36 cm

We are a nation obsessed by the vagaries of the English weather. We are bombarded with constant weather forecasts on all the media and it is our favourite topic of conversation, especially with strangers, when we struggle with anything else.

John Constable famously studied meteorology. He analysed weather patterns and studied cloud formations on Hampstead Heath, Salisbury and Suffolk where he painted. This had a very dramatic effect on the light and colour of his skies. JMW Turner said the infinite variability of English weather was prime subject matter for artists.( credit : JMW Turner ). He created powerful, energetic paintings of storms and soft ethereal misty landscapes by turn.

Here are three examples of famous paintings of Storms; all very different but equally spectacular.